DETROIT (AP) — Jeep is recalling more than 228,000 SUVs worldwide to fix a software problem that can cause side air bags to inflate for no reason.

The recall covers Jeep Cherokees from the 2014 and 2015 model years.

Fiat Chrysler, which makes Jeeps, says there have been a small number of inadvertent air bag deployments. Canadian safety regulators say the problem occurred mainly in off-road situations. Sudden air bag inflation can startle drivers and cause crashes, but Chrysler says it’s not aware of any accidents or injuries.

Most of the recalled vehicles are in the U.S. and Canada. Dealers will recalibrate the software to change the threshold for inflating the air bags.

The problem is the latest in a string of auto industry troubles with air bags.

MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is proposing a new government agency dedicated to keeping the nation’s food safe.

It would consolidate parts of the Agriculture Department and the Food and Drug Administration.

The proposal in the president’s budget released Monday comes after outbreaks of illness linked to chicken, eggs, peanuts and cantaloupe. More than a dozen federal agencies oversee food safety, and consumer advocates have long called for giving it a single home.

Currently, the Agriculture Department oversees the safety and inspections of meat and processed eggs and the Food and Drug Administration oversees safety of most other foods.

The budget proposes to consolidate the Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and all of FDA’s food safety oversight into one new agency within the Department of Health and Human Services.

ROXANA HEGEMAN, Associated Press

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The leader of a Kansas commune that prosecutors say lived off life insurance payouts from its dead members faces trial this week in the 2003 drowning of a woman whose death he had allegedly foretold weeks earlier.

Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of 55-year-old Daniel U. Perez for first-degree premeditated murder of Patricia Hughes at the group’s compound in the Wichita suburb of Valley Center.

Witnesses have testified Perez called himself a seer and portrayed him as a domineering leader who kept a tight rein on his young, mostly female followers.

Perez also faces multiple counts of lying on life insurance applications, rape, sodomy, criminal threat, making false statements on auto credit applications and sexual exploitation of a child.

His defense attorney did not return a phone message.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas House committee has approved a bill eliminating a projected state budget deficit by relying more on moving money around than cutting spending.

The Appropriations Committee passed its budget-balancing measure on a voice vote. The full House is expected to take up the bill Tuesday.

The state faces a projected shortfall exceeding $330 million in its current budget after tax collections fell $47 million short of expectations in January. The deficit is in the state’s main bank account, which finances general government programs.

The bill mostly diverts money from highway projects and other special funds into the state’s main bank account.

The shortfall arose after lawmakers aggressively cut personal income taxes at Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s urging in 2012 and 2013 to stimulate the state’s economy.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials with northeast Kansas American Indian tribes have had preliminary discussions with Gov. Sam Brownback on gaining more control over revenue and spending on their lands.

A previous compact with the state allowed tribes to collect some state taxes on products sold on their lands and keep some of the revenue for their programs.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Steve Cadue, former chairman of the Kickapoo Nation, says Brownback expressed support for the idea last year but that was before the state was facing multi-million dollar budget deficits.

Brownback’s spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, say the governor has informally discussed a variety of issues, including taxes, with the four Kansas tribes but the talks are in the early stages and it’s unlikely a compact will be part of this year’s budget.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A bill before the Kansas Senate would allow home-schooled students to participate in public school sports and activities.

The measure would allow any student living in a school district to participate in any activity offered by the district for four consecutive school years, even if the student graduates before the fourth year.

The bill, which is awaiting a hearing in the Education Committee, is opposed by the Kansas State High School Activities Association. Gary Musselman, executive director of the association, says public school students have to earn eligibility and are held to strict standards before they can participate.

Supporters say the bill could benefit small, rural schools that often don’t have enough students for an activity.

The Wichita Eagle reports the Senate Education Committee will consider the bill.

HUTCHINSON — Authorities are investigating what caused a gas leak on Sunday in Reno County.

The leak forced law enforcement to close off a portion of US 50 in Reno County.

Fire crews were called just before 9 p.m. to US 50 and Kent Road just east of Hutchinson after the leak was discovered in a one-inch gas line.

The highway was closed from Mayfield to Buhler Haven Road while repairs were made to the line.

The highway was reopened just before midnight.

There were no injuries.